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Ah coffee. Whether you drink yours as straight up, extra foam, extra hot, short and punchy, over ice or in the biggest mug possible, this not-so-humble bean runs the world. Not only does coffee give us a hit of energy, it’s meant to have a number of potential health benefits, too. So is coffee actually healthy?
Is coffee healthy?
The quick answer is yes, but it depends how much you drink and how you drink it. The energy kick we love so much comes from caffeine, a natural stimulant that gives your brain and central nervous system a boost (and keeps you awake at night if you drink too much).
Coffee is also a rich source of antioxidants which help to fight inflammation and protect against disease and can also help boost metabolism and aid weight loss.
But - big but here - all coffee is not created equal. You’ll undo all of those potential health benefits if you indulge in sugary, high-calorie coffee drinks like lattes and frapuccinos. If you ever drink coffee and feel jittery or nervous, or suffer from sleeplessness (insomnia), then think about cutting back, or cutting it out entirely.
Overall, if you enjoy your coffee in moderation (we run on 2 cups a day) and take it without added sugars, unhealthy syrups, lashings of cream, and so on, coffee can be a healthy and enjoyable part of any balanced diet. We’ll drink to that.
Don’t want to drink it but love that coffee taste? Did you know that our chefs use coffee as a rub to heighten the taste of our lean cuts of British beef? Check out our healthy coffee recipes.
